Sports Illustrated writer, Austin Murphy, went mountain biking with the President. Murphy came away impressed with both the President's biking skills and his amiabilty. Apparently, Bush approaches biking the same way he approaches a lot of things.

No matter your politics, you have to give our 43rd president props: The man has a big engine. The unofficial rule governing those who ride with the ex-governor: No one passes the president. Of course, the farther we went, the less of an issue that became. Most of the riders in our group weren't capable of hanging with the Chief, let alone passing him. When I pointed out to the president that, by never drafting, he gets more exercise than anyone else on the ride, he explained why he likes to be out front:

"You know, if I wasn't leading, I'd be following," he said, "and I don't like to do that. And secondly, a person may go a little faster than I want to go, you know?"

I'm sure all those Bush-haters out there will find that remark a metaphor for something they don't like about Bush's foreign policy. Those who like the President will think, "Yeah, I like a guy who isn't a follower."

Being a completely sedentary person myself, I'm very impressed by people who stay fit. I'd much prefer a fit president than one who isn't. (Link via my husband who likes what George Stephanopolous had to say about the President)